MOF-derived carbon nanotube bridged Co/MoC@NC composites for enhanced electromagnetic wave absorption

Obtaining uniformly dispersed particles within a carbon skeleton using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a precursor is crucial for constructing multiple heterogeneous interfaces that enhance electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption. Herein, MOF-derived carbon nanotubes (CNTs) bridged cobalt/molybdenum carbide@N-doped carbon (Co/MoC@NC) composites with honeycomb-like porosity were synthesized using an ion-exchange strategy followed by pyrolysis. Theoretical calculations and experimental observations confirm the existence of a heterogeneous interface between MoC and Co. Enhanced Co doping accelerates charge transfer from Co to MoC, thereby increasing interfacial polarization. Furthermore, the CNTs catalytically generated by Co facilitate the formation of conductive pathways between the honeycomb-like porous structure of Co/MoC@NC. This enhances conductivity and optimizes impedance matching. Flexible control of the dielectric properties is achieved by adjusting the level of Co doping, which results in tunable microwave absorption (MA) properties. As a result, the minimum reflection loss ( RL min ) of Co/MoC@NC reaches −68.68 dB at a thickness of 1.83 mm, while the effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) is 4.45 GHz at a thickness of 1.85 mm. This study presents a novel approach to utilizing honeycomb-like porous MOF-derived heterojunctions for the precise regulation of MA.